J. M. Smith, Ouachita County, AR
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SOURCE: Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
Contributed by Carol Smith.
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Ouachita County, Arkansas - from Goodspeed's History of Arkansas
J. M. Smith, merchant, Stephens, Arkansas. Mr. Smith, the senior partner of the firm of Smith & Bro., is a native of Georgia, born in 1847, and is
the son of Deraslin F. Smith, also a native of Georgia. The father emigrated from his native State to Ouachita County about 1849, and was among
the early settlers of the same. He was a successful farmer. He married Miss Esther Majors, a native of Georgia, and she is now living with her
children, in this county. J. M. Smith is the third of seven children, a daughter and five sons now living. He was reared in Ouachita County,
Arkansas, received his education in the common schools of this county, and was married, in 1875, to Miss Siddie Bayless, a native of Ouachita
County, born in 1856. Her father, Dr. S. H. Bayless, was an early settler and prominent physician of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have
been born four children, one son and three daughters: Lewis D., Pearl, Leta and Mary. Mr. Smith began merchandising at Richland, Columbia
County, in the fall of 1878, and continued the business at that place until the fall of 1883. In September of that year he moved to Stephens, and
has continued his former business at this place ever since, under the firm name of Smith & Bro. They carry a stock of goods valued at about
$6,000 and buy cotton, in connection with their other business. This firm does the largest business in Stephens. Mr. Smith has been postmaster
ever since he started business here, and is serving in the capacity at the present. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.